Well Planned Day

Are you all ready for Fall to start and ready for everyone to head back to school? Soon will be gone the care free and easy Summer days! I am in no way "ready" but I have been praying and making lists and have my planner ordered and ready.

I know that I have told you before about the planner that I LOVE LOVE LOVE. 

You can preview the planner HERE

I have a confession: I am not a very planned out/organized/secretarial person. AT. ALL. I'm pretty much a hot mess with piles of receipts and pockets full of crunched up dollar bills. But with 5 kids in 4 different levels  and a home and family and......I NEED help keeping it all together.

This is my third year using the Well Planned Day Planner and I have another confession. this planner is so beautiful and so well organized that my first year..now don't laugh..I didn't write in it. I was afraid of interfering with it's organization. How silly is that? The best thing about having a well planned planner is that it is a tool for you to use for YOUR life.

Not being a super organized person I really need the help BUT I dont need the pressure of feeling like I have to conform to being someone I'm not in order to thrive.  I found so much grace in the Well Planned Day planner.

It's helpful assets include:
-Full Year Planner: July 2012 - June 2013
-Home Management Helps with weekly cleaning schedule, monthly projects, greeting card registry, and monthly budgeting.
-Holiday Organization Section: Greeting card registry, activities and event schedules, gift giving, around town shopping, and internet shopping.
-Organization and planning for up to 4 children (I photocopy and add more)
-Four Student Class Plans: Schedule each student's class assignments.
-Four Student Time Schedules: Track each day by the hour.
-Weekly Schedule: Organize your week with class assignments, weekly priorities, prayer requests,  dinner menu, and notes.
-Month at a Glance: Plan field trips, enrichment activities and books to read
-Semester Attendance & Progress Reports
-Perforated Report Cards
-Menu Planning: Plan weekly meals and conveniently shop with perforated shopping lists.
-Family Worship: Read through the Bible in a year.
-Insightful homeschool articles and tips to inspire you throughout the year.

 
I don't use all of those features. Maybe I should but that's another post. I use what I need right now and do what I can do right now. Maybe in July of 2013 I will start using a new feature (like the Bible memory verses) and that would be great but I'm not obligated to. There is so much in there that everyone can find what THEY need help with organizing in one place.

***disclaimer: I was given a planner to review but was in no way influenced on what to say--all opinions are my own and should be considered just that. Links in this post do contain affilaite information and if you choose to buy through those links I will be reimbursed.

Max the Dog

I have a confession: Not a fan of stuffed animals. They are cute, they promote creativity and friendship skills....Don't like them. I have a child with asthma. I make everyone bathe or shower and change their clothes before bed. No stuffed animals. Then I was contacted by Cuddle Covers about these:



See how practical they are? They serve a purpose.
I looked them over some more and really liked Max the Dog

not a very flattering picture but you get the idea, right?

 I was sold when I read that they are fully machine washable and you can use your own pillow. I answered that I'd love to review Max the Dog and forgot all about it.

One day we had people over and a lot going on. UPS brought a package and my 5 and 3 year old proceeded to open it, which is not supposed to happen. Then I heard my 3 year old son squeal, "OOH he's cute" and they ripped him out of his packaging and hugged him, wrestled with him, fought over him and eventually, took turns laying down and napping with him. Who knew a pillow could be so entertaining? That is the whole idea though: this practical pillow wears many many hats and isn't just a pillow. What multi-tasking mom can't appreciate that?

As you ponder my deep thoughts on Cuddle Covers, you should know that right now is a good time to try out your own Cuddle Cover because for a limited time they come with their own mini version.


Rules are there for a reason, but I am glad that we made an exception and gave Max the Dog a chance.


**I was not paid to say anything in particular but was given Max the Dog to review and share my honest opinion (and theirs)

Christmas Traditions

 I want to preface with, "I'm coming clean ladies" but I hope I haven't put on any airs to tear down.

I have been dealing with hormone stuff and feeling VERY overwhelmed. I am OK and we are very blessed but just the daily "he hit me" "what does this mean" and constant toddler training and teen drama and all the little things to think through and the laundry and meals and budgeting for 7 people....it takes a toll on me. It takes a toll on our fun stuff. That is one of the points of this blog" To encourage to find the celebrations and the joys of the everyday.

I ordered Christmas cards. I took them to our Friday co-op and started to pass them out and then left them locked in a church 1/2 hour away that I don't attend. And now I don't have a car.

My daughter was frustrated that I didn't get the tree up on Black Friday so SHE put it up.

and asked the littles to help her. Most of our ornaments were broken. I have prayed and prayed and counted to ten many many times and we are discussing respecting boundaries. Not the festivities I had in mind :(



I hung our stockings that my husband's dear grandmother knitted for each of us (this is our first Christmas without her) ***All pictures are from last year--although things are hung pictures have not been taken yet:)

I got out our Advent wreath and candles but I couldn't find the devotional (we have more than one.) I planned a Christmas party but didn't get the word out until last minute so I don't know how it will come together...

We celebrated my husband's 40th with his parents and made dinner together. It was a good time. One of our best.

All that said to try to convince myself that it is Christmas time and we are doing fun things but....

It doesn't "feel" like Christmas. Could it be our beautiful sunny Southern Ca weather?  I know that we'll sit down to a campy Christmas movie together and I'll cry. And we'll sneak in some time with friends. We'll deliver cookies to friends. Christmas cards will start arriving. We'll find that Advent devotional and really dig in. I just don't want to miss any of those precious moments because I wasn't prepared to "catch" them.

Do you have any suggestions?

The Holidays are coming!!

Despite the warm weather and slow start we are getting into the academic year--The holidays are coming. Check the calendar for yourself: It is now Autumn. Are you ready? Do you want to avoid the aplnning mistakes you made last year? No last minute gift buying for the really important person that you forgot. No more running out for last minute pizza for cranky kids that had enjoyed a day of holiday festivities, so much so that their frazzled mom forgot dinner. I am working toward these things and have a great tool to get me there.

I have you told you the past few years about how much I LOOVE Sheri Grahams 12 week- Holiday planner.  I still do:) I am a slow learner and each year I utilize more and more aspects of this great planner.

Honestly, just HAVING a holiday planner has helped me so mcuh. Sheri has thought of so many things that I woudlnt have and somehow she managed to organize them all in. Things like doubling meals in October and freezing for those busy nights of Holiday parties sounds so clever but is worth its weight in gold when actually planned out and written down. Sheri's keeps your eyes on Christ and serving your family. That organization, encouragement, and focus is precisely what your holidays need.
If you join me and start using this great planner October 1st you too can:


-Have Your Christmas Gifts planned, bought and wrapped by the first of December
-Have Your Christmas Letter written and ready to mail around Thanksgiving
-Plan Your Holiday Menus so you don’t even think about it when Thanksgiving rolls around
-Have Enough Time to give Homemade Gifts to your friends and family
-Have all Your Baking Supplies on Hand when You Need Them
-Have Your Gifts Shipped In Time for Christmas


Here is what's in the 12 Week Holiday Planner to create such magic?
-Blank Monthly and Weekly Calendar pages for Planning Your Holidays
-Weekly “To Do” Lists – Shows You exactly what needs to be Done Each Week
-Thanksgiving and Christmas Menus Forms
-Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years Recipe Card Forms
-A Holiday Self-Evaluation Form – Prioritize So You Celebrate Your Ideal Christmas
-Shopping Lists
-Items to Do This Week  (Giving you a Ready Made Plan  from the first week of October til Christmas)
-Christmas Craft and Gift Ideas
-Memory Making Ideas for the Family
-Holiday Journal Pages

USER-FRIENDLY: Forms, Plans, Pages and Tips.

you can view some sample pages HERE

(I am an affiliate for this planner, because I really really believe in it. I will earn a commission for any purchases made from links listed in this post. )

Mat Kearney- Young Love

I was asked to review:

Young Love by Mat Kearney

 You can purchase the album here on Itunes

I had heard his songs. They are all over the radio and in stores. Catchy, uplifting tunes.
According to wikipedia, his songs have been featured on " the following television series: 30 Rock, Dirty Sexy Money, Kyle XY, The Unit, Without A Trace, Laguna Beach, The Hills, Bones, Jericho, Friday Night Lights, Wildfire, What About Brian, South Beach, 8th & Ocean, One Tree Hill, Scrubs, The Closer, NCIS, Life Unexpected, Grey's Anatomy and The Vampire Diaries. His song "Runaway" is featured on the Soul Surfer movie soundtrack.".

The thing is that, honestly, I never REALLY listened. When I did, I was impressed. There is an honesty and brilliance about his music. He is a person I'd want to know and share a cup of coffee with. Someone Id welcome into my home.

I enjoy this obvious hit:
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But what took me a minute to catch on too was that he's talking about life with his new bride and working out all the kinks and rhythms:
 "Singing, hey mama, don't want no drama

Just a kiss before I leave
Hey lady, don't say maybe
You're the one that I can believe
Hey lover, don't want no other
Finger for my ring
I was also touched, and inspired by:

Rochester.
<iframe width="420" height="345" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/fUWFNRlA1-g" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen>iframe>
You can read the lyrics HERE
He prefaces the song explaining it is his father's story. There is something so real and profound and honest about it. It's a story of breaking familial cycles. Of wanting more for your kids and family. Of one man's struggle and the hope found in the yes of a child and then becoming the man he wanted to be for him. It's not sad and doesn't make you angry: somehow he took this story and told it in a true and inspiring way. Love that.

Honestly, this CD has been playing in our kitchen, our living room, and our vehicle since it came in the mail. NON-STOP. It is good. It is fun. It has depth and appeals to everyone.


http://bit.ly/YLWidget

Heaven Revealed

I was given two books: One to read and one to give to the readers of this blog. The subject of the book is a good one. One we all think about but don't really know much about--Heaven.  There are so many questions and so many longings. Sadly, many of the books written or words spoken about heaven have no basis in fact. Most things being taught about heaven are feel good "we'll all be together again, happy" words spoken at funerals.

I am curious, we are all curious. Where should we look as believers in Christ? The Scriptures. Paul Enns did just that when his beloved wife of 40 years died suddenly. He wasn't angry at God or feel sorry for himself as I would have done. Paul Enns went to Scripture to learn more about where his beloved now lives. That right there wet my appetite.

Heaven Revealed is one man's quest to find  anwers to his own questions about Heaven through the study of scripture. Paul Enns serves as a professor and the director of the Tampa Extension, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. He has also taught at Northwestern College, Dallas Theological Seminary and Talbot Theological Seminary. He is the author of The Moody Handbook of Theology and Approaching God. He recently spoke with Rc Sproul and . Again, I am still listenining.


His book is a quick and pleasant read and I enjoyed reading the book. Paul Enns is a very clear writer and a thorough researcher. He is coming from a dispensational premillenialist theology while I am not. I still have questions. Some of the answers that he found through the Scriptures he listed werent the answers that I found there. He also brought up questions that I hadnt even thought of and answered them profoundly. The author does a very good job of pointing us to Scripture for our answers and listing the Scriptures where he found his answers. This book was not written as a textbook to show definitively what we will find in paradise but rather a freind taking us by the hand and saying, "look! look at these things that I have discovered and found in my search of the Scriptures about Heaven." Paul Enns did a great job of doing just that and his search is one worthy of shadowing.

I will be hosting the giveaway through July 30th. to enter just leave me a comment. Any commnet.

want extra entries?
-follow this blog through GFC
-share with us another book about Heaven that we should read.
Disclaimer: Thanks to C. Grant and Company for sending me two Moody Publishers complimentary copies.
 My review is my own.

Audio Books and reading out loud (a giveaway)

I love literature. I love books. My husband loves books. Literature shapes us and there is nothing like hearing a book read out loud to you. There was a period of time where I had surgery and my husband had a back injury, we read out loud. Most of the day. We read and read and enjoyed so much together. We both got on our feet again and were blessed with two more babies. Life got busier and busier.

Don't misunderstand, we read. We read and read and read. We read to our youngest children. Our older children read to younger children (and to each other) but there are also times when its just easier to turn on Sponge Bob. I want to make it easier to quickly get good literature.

Spurred on by June being national audio book month.  I wanted to set my 10 year daughter up with an Ipod of audio books but when I started looking online for downloads I had trouble finding ones worth reading/listening to.

I was contacted by Molly of My Audio School, which she founded in 2009 to "give children safe and easy internet access to classic audio books, educational radio drama and television and radio broadcasts of historic events." I was so so impressed by the site. It's content and quality are exemplary. While searching the internet myself I had trouble finding worthy titles, but once on My Audio School, I immediately wanted to listen to many. And I could. We could.


My Audio School came out of Molly's desire for her children. Molly has a son with dyslexia, she didn't let that stop him from having access to good literature and a good education. She has chosen titles and content for her site with amazing vigor. Vigor that our families can now benefit from. I am so grateful for that.

There are many areas in my life where I could improve. Many that I want to. Honestly though, sometimes there just isn't the time or energy or resources to figure out or implement these changes. Starting in June, our family will be exposed to and benefit and grow from more literature and more reading out loud thanks to My Audio School.

********AND guess what? My Audio School has generously offered a one year subscription (a $14.99 value) to one of our readers!!

to enter:
tell me a book from your childhood that stands out in your mind

extra entries:

<3 head over to my Audio School and come back to tell me one title you want to sink into right now
            Keep in mind that what you see listd is only a small fraction of what is available to members.
<3 like my Audio School on Facebook
<3 become a follower of this site

I will choose a winner (through random.org) on 6/30

Keeping Me Posted

Summer is approaching quickly and as the temperatures heat up I cant help but think about gatherings, parties and graduations. Our family also has a few summer birthdays and some new babies coming this Summer. I discovered a husband and wife team that creates georgous invitations!

https://www.keepingmeposted.com/

At, Keeping Me Posted, you can purchase unique announcements, party invites, and holiday cards.  Keeping Me Posted has new designs that constantly get updated with the latest trends and styles of today.  The state-of-the-art photo personalization tools make any person a card designer.  Try the cutting-edge tools to upload photos from Facebook, Flickr, Picasa, and SmugMug.  Fresh, new designs fill the website’s pages.  The customization tools on the website can change the font color, size, and style.  The tools can be used to change photos from color to black and white or sepia.  Review your card electronically for free. Want a design you don't see on the site? Not a problem--Just let Keeping Me Posted know about it, and a perfect design can be made just for you for free.  HP Indigo printing presses print the cards on top-quality thick matte paper.  Cards are reviewed carefully during the various production stages so you get something special that you will be satisfied with.  Stop by Keeping Me Posted today at www.keepingmeposted.com to let people know you are moving, having a baby, or throwing a fabulous party.

Coming Clean

Let's come clean. I have heard a lot of talk about Shaklee and how much money you can make and live the dream. Honestly, I was turned off by it. Then, I started to hear more and more about their cleaning products being efficient, non-toxic and inexpensive.

I saw this before and after on House of Grace:



I saw  pictures of Sarah at Thrifty Decor Chic "finally" clean her oven. (and wondered if I should be cleaning mine ;) I seriously looked around at my dirty house and began thinking.

I saw this cost comparison which really made sense.

I am a chemical snob. I have a son with an auto immune disease and a million allergies. I hate hate hate the smell of almost every cleaner. I have skin that gets dry and bleeds when anywhere near cleaning products. So....I don't clean:) Not a good plan huh?

I saw this video from Rachel Ray:

http://youtu.be/mTUal9QW2cE

This on toxic cleaners:

http://youtu.be/i7RhyrQMhY4


and another from Dr. Oz and Oprah that I couldnt figure out how to embedd or cut and paste.

After everything, I was sold. I finally did it. I took the plunge and tried Shaklee.

I was blown away. And, A little embarrassed at how much dirt I got OUT of my surroundings.

Empowered by Shaklee I:

cleaned my sink:


Wait though! I do clean my sink. I wipe it out often. I clean it with a natural stainless steal cleaner, I scrub it out with baking soda. So WHY did I manage to get soooo many paper towels of black gook when I used this stuff:

Scour off is AMAZING. It is made from cherry pits and smells WONDERFUL (remember how much I detest the small of cleaning supplies?)
Liked it soooo much I decided to tackle my oven:


It did come totally clean and shiny. By now, I knew it would. What amazed me was that I wasn't scrubbing and scraping and repeating. I was just rubbing on and then off. It was THAT easy.


Still empowered by Shaklee, this time armed with Basic H, I:
got dry erase marker out of a Boy Scout shirt. (no pictures, I was a little frustrated that someone would write on their brother's shirt :)

cleaned shag carpeting. In a few rooms. Because there was no sudsing and build up it was faster and a lot more efficient.

When a friend moved I ended up with her cleaning box and a bunch of expensive new fangled all in one cleaners. One said specifically it worked on glass and mirrors. I went to town on our 15 foot sliding doors and then our windowed office doors and then, then, I noticed it left a gooey sludge all over them. I sat down and pouted. Now I need to go back over them all with Basic H.


In the end, I am soo glad that I did try Shaklee and am wondering why it took me so sceptically long. It is more natural? Cheaper? and for me, so far it has been faster and simpler. Now my question is, do I become a distributor? If I do would you try it out? Wanna try Shaklee cleaners now?

Bonnie

who blogs at

 has generously and amazingly offered 5 of my readers a sample of Basic H cleaner.



yes, I said FIVE!

To enter:

Follow this blog and tell me something that you put off cleaning

for bonus entries (leave one comment for each) :
-Head over to House of Grace and see all that this powerhouse can do) and tell me which you'd like to try your sample of Basic H on
-Follow House of Grace on Facebook (Say hello for me!)

On May 31st at midnight PST I will, using Random.org choose 5 winners.

Product Reviews

Sometimes I forget to share things with you because I assume that if even I know about something that everyone does else does too. I assume I'm the last to know. I shared with you ladies some time back that I'd like to do product reviews on this blog. I failed to mention the amazing liaison that I found in doing this.

Business2Blogger

Apparently when you have 5 gajillion followers and are super uber awesome companies know who you are and contact you. Not so if you are me. I would have to cold call companies hoping to find one that is interested. I may be a great  fit for a company but they wouldn't know how to find me.

Enter Business2Blogger and the beauty of product reviews. You contact them with your company info and what you would like done. You offer a compensation of some sort and tell them what you are looking for: a blog with atleast 4 gazillion page views? a family blog? a fashion blog? a blog of any size? a small blog talking about homeschooling? Business2Blogger finds THOSE blogs and asks them if they are interested. Those blogs write why they are interested and Business2Blogger contacts the business with the bloggers info allowing them to choose the best fit. Doesn't that just make sooo much sense?

I have done some great reviews through Business2Blogger. I was given opportunities to work with large companies that would not have known me otherwise and smaller companies (like a stay at home Mom needing reviewers for her e-books) that became good friends.

I know first hand the benefits of product reviews for bloggers. This is also a HUGE opportunity for businesses big and small. There is so much power in the word of mouth. I don't buy anything because of the flashy commercials that I see on Super Bowl Sunday. I do, however listen to people I consider friends. Bloggers feel like trusted friends. Weird I know, but here we are.

The boy Who Changed the World

Book Sneeze gave our family the opportunity to review : The Boy Who Changed The World, by Andy Andrews

Andy Andrews also wrote the New york Times Best Seller: "The Butterfly Effect: How Your Life Matters"

which showed adults "The decisions you make and the way you treat others have more impact than you may ever realize."

The Boy Who Changed the World paints a picture of this principle for children by showing us a glimpse into the life stories of Nobel Laureate Norman Borlaug, Vice President Henry Wallace, Inventor George Washington Carver, and Farmer Moses Carver. We were immediately intrigued by the amazing illustrations of Philip Hurstand how they were interconnected. The book follows a fun and imaginative format: The story shows the butterfly concept and how each person makes little impacts on the lives of others. It is divided into little sections showing the effects of different people on different people and on the world itself. These mini divisions made it easier to break our reading into smaller sessions for the preschool crowd. It also exemplified how many people change the world and you could to. My high schooler, junior higher and grammar school student all enjoyed the book. It warmed my heart to share with my children that all of our actions affect the future- not just our own future but those of others. This book is not preachy at all but gives so much hope and encouragement in each of our ability to change the world.



We recommend this book to everyone! It is readily available at many retailers including Amazon:

Cover Girl Olay-$2.00 coupons!

Been feeling pretty old and run down and realized this weekend that I don't even own any makeup.

Guess what I just got in the mail to review?


Cover Girl& Olay--Simply Ageless


And even better is that I have 5 $2.00 coupons! YOU my virtual friends can check this new product out with me!! Leave me a quick comment saying anything you like and 5 people will get $2.00 off coupons to try this new product out right along with me!
Fun times ahead!!

SkinMD Natural-a Rave Review

>

I'm really excited about this lotion!! It works really well and does what it says it will. I respect that. But what I am most excited about is what it doesn't have and doesn't do!!

No animal products or testing
Dermatology tested
No Fragrance
No colorant
Hypoallergenic
No Paraben
Non-comedogenic




I have extremely dry skin and a son who is sensitive to fragrance, colorings and a lot of fruits. I have spent soo much money on lotions that burned my sensitive skin or didn't do as they promised. Parabens don't sound like a big deal but they are estrogen mimickers and throw my hormones for a huge loop. They come standard in most lotions. I have pretty much given up and live with dried, cracking and bleeding hands most of the year. Not fun and not pretty.

The whole concept of Skin Md Natural is described as "..an entirely new concept in skin care requiring a new classification: "Shielding Lotion". A shielding lotion keeps moisture-robbing irritants away from the skin while the proprietary "super" humectants hydrate the skin throughout the day." Doesn't that just make sense? The lotion goes on light and dries quickly leaving you feeling like you improved.

I suggest you try a sample!!HERE There are several options and all are very worth it.

Will you leave a comment and let me know that you ordered a sample and let me know what you think when it arrives?

Piggy Paint-An exciting discovery!!

I have been on the hunt for natural fingernail polish FOREVER!! My son is highly highly sensitive to smells. Both my nine year old daughter and I are nail biters:( I could NOT bring myself to put the toxic chemicals of fingernail polish on my daughter. Whenever we'd go to a health food store or drug store she would ask if they'd have nail polish that we could use. Nope. Searched and searched. One health food store asked me that if I did ever find natural fingernail polish, what was I going to remove it with?

THEN!!!






Piggy Paints are:

Water based (not flammable)
and FREE of formaldehyde, toluene, phthalates, biphenyl A, ethyl acetate and acetone...
and made in the USA!


YAY!!!

Melanie Hurley is the founder of Piggy paints and the mother of two little girls.
Melanie explains the necessity and inspiration of Piggy Paints:
"One day while we were painting nails over a foam plate, my daughter dropped a glob of her solvent-based polish onto the plate. Shortly after, the paint began to bubble and “ate” through the plate. I looked in dismay at the hole in the plate and decided to test all of her other “kid” polishes on the foam. Within minutes, ALL of the solvent-based polishes began to bubble and eventually left big holes in the plate. From that day on, I decided that any flammable substance that could eat through foam was unacceptable for my children’s fingernails, which would inevitably end up in their mouths."

I contacted Piggy Paints and they sent me a bottle of polish AND natural remover to review. YEP. That is how I will remove the natural fingernail polish, thank you very much:)

WE LOVED IT!!! The color we received was great! My daughter was so amazed that there was no smell. It went on well and stayed on. I was excited that it was natural and safe but so so impressed that it is high quality, comes in great colors and stays on!! I am so excited and now want these for stocking stuffers or maybe Holiday festivities:




********I have a discount code for my readers!!!**************
Enter: HANDFUL15L expiration January 31, 2010
for 15% off anything on the website including sale items.

**Spend over $25 and domestic shipping is FREE! They ship worldwide!
PIGGY PAINT


I was given a sample of Piggy Paint polish and remover to review. I was not compensated in anyway for my opinion of them.